Hosea and the Unfaithful Woman
1The Lord said to me, “Go again and show your love for a woman who is committing adultery with a lover. You must love her just as I still love the people of Israel, even though they turn to other gods and like to take offerings of raisins to idols.”
2So I paid fifteen pieces of silver and seven bushels of barley to buy her. 3I told her that for a long time she would have to wait for me without being a prostitute or committing adultery; and during this time I would wait for her.
Reflection: As We Forgive Others God’s ways are not like ours. Where we rise up against betrayal and unfaithfulness, God bears our sin and sticks with us. Where we are appalled and disgusted by the sin of others (not so much our own!), God accepts us with all of our horrors and failings. Hosea is commanded to be godlike, not just forgiving his wayward wife but embracing her, blessing her and recommitting to her. Notice that he also calls her out of sin; there is no whitewashing going on here. Also note that in this story, we
are the adulteress, we are not Hosea. We are the ones who are being forgiven and loved by God.
Question: Are you able to forgive others as you have been forgiven? Whom do you need to forgive?
Prayer: Gracious Father, thank you for loving us in our sin. Make us like you, able to embrace those who sin against us. Amen.
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